Concert Featuring Styx, REO Speedwagon Raises More than $400K

Rock to the Rescue -- The star-packed benefit concert co-headlined last week by Styx and REO Speedwagon at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois, which will aid victims of last month's damaging tornadoes and windstorms in central Illinois, was a big success. The show, which was dubbed Rock to the Rescue Extends a Hand to Those in Need, raised $400,783 via ticket sales, memorabilia auctions and donations.

In addition to Styx and REO, the concert featured performances by Ted Nugent, Richard Marx, Survivor, Head East and comedian Larry the Cable Guy. The funds brought in by the event will be distributed by the Rock to the Rescue organization, which was established in 2001 by Styx's Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin. A variety of Illinois-area charities will receive the money, including Midwest Food Bank, Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Tazwood Community Services and the City of Washington Tornado Relief Fund.

Cronin reports that REO is planning contribute more to the cause when the band plays four more concerts in Illinois and Indiana in early 2014.

"We enjoyed a fantastic concert and raised over $400,000 to help in the effort to move forward," says Shaw, "but what was most moving was seeing and feeling the power of music bring us together and lift our spirits once again as the ongoing soundtrack to our lives."

Cronin adds, "It feels good to use the power of rock 'n' roll to lend support to people without whose support we would surely not be rocking to this day."